I shall be at home this evening and to-morrow evening--Why not this evening ?" demanded Livingstone almost sharply.
"Why, only--that it's--.

However,--" The speaker broke off.

"I'll be there, sir.

About eight-thirty, I suppose ?" "Yes," said Livingstone, curtly.
He was miffed, offended, aggrieved.

He had intended to do a kind thing by this man, and he had met with a rebuff.
"I expect to pay you," he said, coldly.
The next second he knew he had made an error.